The electric atmosphere at RAMS Park was unmistakable on February 4, 2026, as Galatasaray welcomed Istanbulspor for their Ziraat Türkiye Kupası Group A third-week clash. With the stadium buzzing and fans glued to their seats, both teams took to the pitch with much at stake—Galatasaray seeking to maintain their flawless start in the group, and Istanbulspor desperate to spring a surprise and revive their campaign.
Kickoff came promptly at 20:30 local time, with referee Reşat Onur Coşkunses overseeing proceedings. The match was broadcast live on ATV, ensuring fans across Turkey could witness every moment of this high-stakes encounter. Galatasaray, leading the group after victories over Başakşehir (1-0) and Fethiyespor (2-1 away), were eyeing a third consecutive win to all but secure their passage to the knockout rounds. Istanbulspor, meanwhile, entered the match at the bottom of the group, having drawn with Fatih Karagümrük (0-0) and suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat to Trabzonspor.
Both teams fielded lineups reflecting their ambitions and circumstances. Galatasaray’s starting eleven featured Günay, Kaan, Lemina, Abdülkerim, Kazımcan, Gökdeniz, İlkay, Asprilla, Ahmed Kutucu, Noa Lang, and the ever-dangerous Mauro Icardi. With a congested fixture list—thanks to ongoing campaigns in the UEFA Champions League and Trendyol Süper Lig—coach Okan Buruk opted for rotation, giving opportunities to players who’d seen less action in recent weeks. As Buruk noted before the match, “Today I’m focused on the match. We’ll talk about transfers after it’s over.”
On the other side, Istanbulspor’s lineup included Alp Tutar, Duhaney, Fatih, Emrecan, Yunus Bahadır, Vorobjovas, İsa Dayaklı, Loshaj, Mamadou, Krstovski, and Alieu Cham. For Istanbulspor, the mission was clear: halt Galatasaray’s momentum and grab vital points to stay alive in the group.
Galatasaray’s injury woes were a talking point ahead of kickoff. Leroy Sane, sidelined with a torn ligament and bleeding in his right ankle after a Champions League clash with Manchester City, was unavailable. Arda Ünyay, nursing a mild-to-moderate hamstring strain from the Fethiyespor match, also missed out. Their absence forced Buruk’s hand, but the depth of Galatasaray’s squad meant the team still looked formidable.
The match exploded into life early on. Galatasaray’s Argentinian star, Mauro Icardi, found the net with a clinical finish, sending the home fans into raptures. That goal was more than just an opener—it was historic. With this strike, Icardi notched his 73rd goal in 118 appearances for Galatasaray, surpassing club legend Gheorghe Hagi to become the club’s all-time top foreign goalscorer. What a remarkable feat! Icardi’s consistency and knack for big moments have endeared him to the faithful, and tonight, he etched his name into the club’s storied history.
But the drama didn’t stop there. Galatasaray kept the pressure on, and their attacking intent paid dividends. Asprilla, lively throughout, threaded a pass to Icardi, who narrowly missed adding to his tally as his shot slipped just wide of the post. Not long after, Asprilla’s vision set up Kaan, whose fierce drive was palmed away by Istanbulspor keeper İsa.
Istanbulspor, to their credit, refused to roll over. Mendy Mamadou capitalized on a rare defensive lapse to pull a goal back, making it 2-1 and giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. Yet Galatasaray remained undeterred. Lucas Torreira, patrolling midfield with authority, latched onto a loose ball outside the box and unleashed a thunderous shot that flew into the net, restoring the two-goal cushion at 3-1. The home fans roared their approval, sensing another statement performance from their side.
The first half closed with Galatasaray firmly in control, leading 3-1. The statistics told the story: Galatasaray were sharper, more incisive, and looked every bit a team on a mission. Istanbulspor, meanwhile, needed to regroup and find answers quickly if they were to avoid another heavy defeat in the group.
As the second half began, the tempo hardly dropped. Galatasaray continued to press, with Eren rattling the woodwork and Asprilla’s dangerous deliveries keeping the Istanbulspor defense on their toes. The visitors, though, showed flashes of resilience. Mamadou remained a threat, and substitute Krstovski tried to inject energy into the attack. Still, breaking down a disciplined Galatasaray side proved a tall order.
Beyond the immediate action, the match carried broader significance. Galatasaray’s recent dominance over Istanbulspor is well documented: the Lions had won their last six official meetings, scoring 15 goals and conceding just three. Their unbeaten run in the Turkish Cup also stretched back eight matches, with six wins and two draws since their last defeat in February 2024.
Coach Okan Buruk was clear about the club’s ambitions. “If we win, we’ll be close to guaranteeing the next round. We care about the Turkish Cup; we won it last season and want to win it again,” he said. That determination was evident in the team’s approach—rotated lineup or not, Galatasaray played with intensity and purpose.
For Istanbulspor, the challenge remains steep. The team’s struggles in the group stage and a six-match losing streak against Galatasaray underscore the gulf between the sides. Yet, as the final whistle approached, Istanbulspor’s players kept fighting, determined to salvage pride and perhaps snatch a late goal to shift the narrative.
As the match wound down, Galatasaray’s fans serenaded their heroes, celebrating not just another strong cup performance but also Icardi’s record-breaking achievement. The Argentinian’s story at the club continues to grow, and his impact—both as a goalscorer and a leader—cannot be overstated.
With this result, Galatasaray remain perched atop Group A, their perfect record intact and their confidence sky-high ahead of their next cup test against Alanyaspor. For Istanbulspor, the road ahead is uncertain, but the experience of facing Turkey’s elite will surely serve them in future battles.
As the lights dimmed at RAMS Park, one thing was clear: Galatasaray’s pursuit of cup glory is gathering pace, and with Mauro Icardi rewriting the record books, the Lions look poised for another memorable campaign.